NHS Reorganisation

No, I have very little time now. I believe that what Michael Portillo said on the BBC's ““This Week”” programme was an accurate reflection of how the Government have sought to mislead the people of this country. When asked by Andrew Neil why the Government had not told us about the plans for the NHS prior to the general election, he responded:"““Because they didn't believe they could win the election if they told you what they were going to do. People are so wedded to the NHS. It's the nearest we have to a national religion—a sacred cow.””" He could not have been more clear: the Government intended to misrepresent their position and to mislead voters. As I have said previously, this Conservative Government have been prepared to play to the gallery while playing Russian roulette with the future of people's health services. That is still the case, but the gallery is now empty. They are on their own and have no mandate—